Ascension Of The Watchers
Nominosum

THE REVIEW

It is always a pleasure to be surprised, especially when listening to an album. On one hand, it's positive that there are unshakeable certainties; on the other, it's appropriate (essential) to savor the joy of encountering a differentiating factor, if not broadly, then at least in relation to initial expectations.

This is precisely what happened when I indulged in "Nominosum," the musical creation of Ascension Of The Watchers, a grand and suggestive name, as well as a project by Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory. Here, he takes on the roles of a multi-instrumentalist (in addition to delivering an extraordinary vocal performance), accompanied by John Bechdel (Prong, Killing Joke, Murder Inc., Ministry, etc.), who provided a fundamental contribution to the realization of the work.

Such elements might suggest a very specific genre placement, yet from the very first track, "Ascendant," which opens the album, it becomes clear that the sounds will be soft and atmosphere-oriented, not ambient, but where the goal is not to subject the listener to pressure and heaviness, but rather to escort them on a long journey (over 70 minutes in total). A journey where the connection and coexistence between narrative electronics and dark rock draw from the source of new wave and the gothic and folk imaginary, with a pronounced sensitivity in creating melodic plots that become songs, and a significant dose of inspiration, which surely fueled the writing of the tracks. It is no coincidence that when they opt for covering someone else's song, they choose "Sounds Of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel.

A spiritual, hypnotic, and ascetic work, born from the fusion of electric, acoustic, and synthetic elements.